Safety switch box for saw machine

ABSTRACT

A saw switch box includes a supporting base resting on a switch platform, a switch shelter pivotally connected to the supporting base to define a sheltering cavity between the switch shelter and the supporting base for receiving a switch member, and a locking device for locking the switch shelter on the supporting base at the idle position. In which, at an operation position, the switch shelter is pivotally folded to a position that a contacting side of the switch shelter is adapted for contacting with the switch member to protectively shelter the switch member within the sheltering cavity in position while the saw machine is operating, and at the idle position, an operation side of the switch shelter is pressed to force the contacting side thereof for pivotally pressing the switch member downward to switch off the saw machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a saw machine, and moreparticularly to a safety switch box for the saw machine, which canincorporate with a control switch of the saw machine for locking up thecontrol switch at an off position, so as to prevent the saw machine frombeing switched on accidentally.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Arts

[0004] A saw machine generally comprises a power control, having acontrol switch, to electrically control the operation of the saw machinein an on and off manner. Accordingly, the saw machine usually employs aliquid coolant pumping to the saw blade and the work piece duringcutting operation to reduce the accumulated heat and flush away sawdust.In other words, the user's hands may get wet during the cuttingoperation.

[0005] In order to prevent an electric shock when the user's hands arewet, a conventional push button cannot be used as the control switch ofthe power control. It is because the user must apply a pressing force onthe push button to switch on the saw machine. Therefore, the user mayget electric shock when the user's finger contacts with the push button.In addition, it is dangerous that the user may accidentally switch on oroff the saw machine by pressing on the push button.

[0006] Accordingly, the saw machine usually employ with an elongatedswitch member as the control switch wherein the switch member ispivotally mounted on a control head of the power control in such amanner that the saw machine is switched on when the switch member ispivotally push upward and the saw machine is switched off when theswitch member is pivotally push downward.

[0007] The advantage of such switch member is that the switchingoperation of the switch member is quick and simple. In order to preventthe electric shock, especially when the user's hands are wet during thecutting operation of the saw machine, the user is able to use an object,such as a tile, to force the switch member pivotally moved downward soas to stop the operation of the saw machine. It is a great conveniencefor the user to switch on and off the saw machine without touching theswitch member. However, once the tile hits on the switch member, theswitch member may be broken. Even though the switch member isreplaceable, the user cannot switch off the saw machine simultaneously.It is extremely dangerous the user must unplug the main switch of thesaw machine to stop the operation thereof when the switch member isbroken and the user's hands are wet. In addition, the user mayaccidentally switch on or off the saw machine because of the easyswitching operation of the switch member. In other words, a safetydevice is a must to prevent the unintentionally switching operation ofthe saw machine.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008] A main object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, which can incorporate with a controlswitch of the saw machine for locking up the control switch at an offposition, so as to prevent the saw machine from being switched onaccidentally.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, wherein the control switch is normallyreceived in the sheltering cavity of the safety switch box, so as toprevent the unintentionally switching operation of the saw machine.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, wherein the switching operation of thecontrol switch is manipulated by the switch shelter such that the userdoes not need to contact with the control switch in order to switch offthe saw machine, so as to prevent the electric shock especially when theuser's hands are wet during the cutting operation of the saw machine.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, wherein the operation of the safety switchbox is easy and simple that by pressing the switch shelter towards thecontrol switch so as to switch off the saw machine.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, wherein the safety switch box is adaptedto be installed into any kind of saw machine to incorporate with thecontrol switch having a switch member.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a safetyswitch box for a saw machine, which does not require to alter theoriginal structure of the control switch of the saw machine, so as tominimize the manufacturing cost of the saw machine incorporating withthe control switch.

[0014] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, thepresent invention provides a safety switch box for a control switch of asaw machine which comprises a switch platform and a switch memberpivotally extended on the switch platform to operate the saw machine inan on and off manner, wherein the safety switch box comprises:

[0015] a supporting base adapted for resting on the switch platform,wherein the supporting base has a through slot formed thereon for theswitch member passing through;

[0016] a switch shelter, which has an outer operating side and an innercontacting side, pivotally connected to the supporting base to define asheltering cavity between the switch shelter and the supporting base forreceiving the switch member, wherein the switch shelter is capable ofbeing pivotally folded between an idle position and an operationposition; and

[0017] means for locking the switch shelter on the supporting base atthe idle position, wherein at the operation position, the switch shelteris pivotally folded to a position that the contacting side of the switchshelter is adapted for contacting with the switch member to protectivelyshelter the switch member within the sheltering cavity in position whilethe saw machine is operating, and at the idle position, the operationside of the switch shelter is pressed to force the contacting sidethereof for pivotally pressing the switch member downward to switch offthe saw machine.

[0018] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety switch box incorporatingwith a saw machine according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the safety switch box for the sawmachine according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the safety switch box at anoperation position according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the safety switch box at an idleposition according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the safety switch box mounted onthe saw machine according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the switch shelter being pressed by auser's thumb to switch on the saw machine.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the safety switch box according tothe above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustratingthe switch member being pushed upward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a safety switch boxincorporating with a saw machine is illustrated, wherein the sawmachine, such as a conventional saw machine, comprises a control switch10 electrically connected with a motor 1 to a power source so as todrive a saw blade 2 to rotate. The control switch 10 generally comprisesa switch platform 11 and a switch member 12 pivotally extended on theswitch platform 11 to operate the motor 1 of the saw machine in an onand off manner.

[0026] The safety switch box comprises a supporting base 20 adapted forresting on the switch platform 11, wherein the supporting base 20 has athrough slot 201 formed thereon for the switch member 12 passingthrough, and a switch shelter 30, which has an outer operating side 31and an inner contacting side 32, pivotally connected to the supportingbase 20 to define a sheltering cavity 301 between the switch shelter 30and the supporting base 20 for receiving the switch member 12, whereinthe switch shelter 30 is capable of being pivotally folded between anidle position and an operation position.

[0027] The safety switch box further comprises means 40 for locking theswitch shelter 30 on the supporting base 20 at the idle position,wherein at the operation position as shown in FIG. 3, the switch shelter30 is pivotally folded to a position that the contacting side 32 of theswitch shelter 30 is adapted for contacting with the switch member 12 toprotectively shelter the switch member 12 within the sheltering cavity301 in position while the saw machine is operating, and at the idleposition as shown in FIG. 4, the operation side 31 of the switch shelter30 is pressed to force the contacting side 32 thereof for pivotallypressing the switch member 12 downward to switch off the saw machine.

[0028] According to the preferred embodiment, the supporting base 20,having a U-shaped cross section, further has a base platform 21 definingthe through slot 201 thereon and first and second sidewalls 22, 23upwardly extended from the base platform 21 to define the shelteringcavity 301 within the base platform 21, and the first and secondsidewalls 22, 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the base platform 21 is rested onthe switch platform 11 while the switch member 12 is passed through thebase platform 21 through the through slot 201 to position between thefirst and second sidewalls 22, 23.

[0029] The switch shelter 30, having a L-shaped cross section, ispivotally connected to the supporting base 20 via a pivot joint 300wherein the switch shelter 30 further has a side arm 33 downwardlyextended from a peripheral edge to overlap with the first sidewall 22 ofthe supporting base 20.

[0030] The switch shelter 30 further has a thumb cavity 34 formedthereon to form the operating side 31 of the switch shelter 30 having aconcave surface and the contacting side 32 of the switch shelter 30having a corresponding convex surface. Accordingly, the thumb cavity 34of the switch shelter 30 is shaped and sized for fittingly receiving auser's thumb to press on the operating side 31 of the switch shelter 30so as to push the switch shelter 30 from the operation position to theidle position.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the contacting side 32 of the switch shelter30 has a slanted surface portion 321 arranged for contacting with theswitch member 12 so as to substantially push the switch member 12 toswitch on the saw machine. Accordingly, when the switch shelter 30 ispivotally folded towards the supporting base 20, the slanted surfaceportion 321 of the contacting side 32 of the switch shelter 30 isarranged to contact with the switch member 12 at the idle position.Therefore, when the operating side 31 of the switch shelter 30 ispressed downwardly, the slanted surface portion 321 of the switchshelter 30 substantially engages with the switch member 12 so as to pushthe switch member 12 to switch off the saw machine.

[0032] The locking means 40 has a locking groove 41 formed on the firstsidewalls 22 of the supporting base 20 and at least a correspondinglocking protrusion 42 formed on the side arm 33 to engage with thelocking groove 41 so as to lock up the switch shelter 30 with thesupporting base 20 at the idle position. Accordingly, a peripheral edgeof the first sidewall 22 functions as a blocking edge 221 to block thelocking protrusion 42 engaging with the locking groove 41 wherein whenthe switch shelter 30 is pivotally folded towards the supporting base20, the switch shelter 30 is blocked at a position that the lockingprotrusion 42 is biased against the blocking edge 221 of the firstsidewall 22 in such a manner that the operation side 31 of the switchshelter 30 is pressed to drive the locking protrusion 42 slidablypassing the blocking edge 221 to engage with the locking groove 41 whilethe contacting side 32 of the switch shelter 30 is simultaneously drivenfor pivotally pressing the switch member 12 downward to switch off thesaw machine.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, when the locking protrusion 42 is blocked bythe blocking edge 221 of the supporting base 20 at the operationposition, the contacting side 32 of the switch shelter 30 is contactedwith the switch member 12 such that a substantial pressing force must beapplied by the user to depress the switch shelter 30 downwardly topivotally drive the switch member 12 downward so as to engage thelocking protrusion 42 with the locking groove 41. In other words, thefolding operation of the switch shelter 30 ensures the manipulation ofthe switch member 12 so as to prevent an unintentional operation of thesaw machine. In addition, the locking engagement between the lockinggroove 41 and the locking protrusion 42 ensures the operational movementof the switch member 12 to switch off the saw machine.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the blocking edge 221 of the supporting base20 is shaped to form a curve notching corner 222 to communicate with thesheltering cavity 301 for operating with the switch member 12.Accordingly, the notching corner 222 of the supporting base 20 isarranged to guide the user's thumb to pivotally move the switch member12 to switch on the saw machine. When the user's thumb applies an upwardfolding force against the switch shelter 30 to unlock the switch shelter30 from the supporting base 20 by slidably disengaging the lockingprotrusion 42 with the locking groove 41, the user's thumb is guided tobias against the notching corner 22 to push the switch member 12upwardly so as to switch on the saw machine. In other words, thenotching corner 222 functions as an operation guider for the user so asto ensure the intentional operation of the saw machine.

[0035] It is worth to mention that when the switch member 12 is upwardlypushed to switch on the saw machine, the switch shelter 30 is capable ofpivotally folding back to the operation position that the contactingside 32 of the switch shelter 30 is contacted with the switch member 12while the locking protrusion 42 is biased against the blocking edge 221of the supporting base 20. Therefore, the switch member 12 is protectedwithin the sheltering cavity 301 by the switch shelter 30 so as toprevent the sawdust or dirt entering into the control switch 10 duringthe cutting operation of the saw machine.

[0036] Moreover, the user is able to switch off the saw machine anytimeby applying the depressing force on the operating side 31 of the switchshelter 30 to press down the switch member 12. Since the user's thumbdoes not directly contact with the switch member 12, which is protectedwithin the sheltering cavity 301 by the switch shelter 30, in order toswitch off the saw machine, the safety switch box of the presentinvention can prevent the electric shock from the saw machine especiallywhen the user's hands are wet during the cutting operation of the sawmachine.

[0037] In addition, the safety switch box of the present invention iscapable of installing into any kind of saw machine having the switchmember 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the installation of the safety switch boxis simply that by unscrewing the switch member 12 from the switchplatform 11 to locate the supporting base 20 on the switch platform 11.Then, the switch member 12 is arranged to screw back on the switchplatform 11 through the through slot 201 of the supporting base 20 suchthat the supporting base 20 is securely mounted on the switch platform11. In other words, the base platform 21 of the supporting base 20 issecurely mounted on the switch platform 11 to retain the switch shelter30 in position.

[0038] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

[0039] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present inventionhave been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have beenshown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional andstructural principles of the present invention and is subject to changewithout departure form such principles. Therefore, this inventionincludes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety switch box for a control switch of a sawmachine which comprises a switch platform and a switch member pivotallyextended thereon to operate said saw machine in an on and off manner,wherein said safety switch box comprises: a supporting base adapted forresting on said switch platform, wherein said supporting base has athrough slot formed thereon for said switch member passing through; aswitch shelter, which has an outer operating side and an innercontacting side, pivotally connected to said supporting base to define asheltering cavity between said switch shelter and said supporting basefor receiving said switch member, wherein said switch shelter is capableof being pivotally folded between an idle position and an operationposition; and means for locking said switch shelter on said supportingbase at said idle position, wherein at said operation position, saidswitch shelter is pivotally folded to a position that said contactingside of said switch shelter is adapted for contacting with said switchmember to protectively shelter said switch member within said shelteringcavity in position while said saw machine is operating, and at said idleposition, said operation side of said switch shelter is pressed to forcesaid contacting side thereof for pivotally pressing said switch memberdownward to switch off said saw machine.
 2. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said supporting base, having a U-shapedcross section, further has a base platform defining said through slotthereon and first and second sidewalls upwardly extended from said baseplatform to define said sheltering cavity within said base platform, andsaid first and second sidewalls for retaining said switch member withinsaid sheltering cavity.
 3. The safety switch box, as recited in claim 2,wherein said switch shelter, having a L-shaped cross section ispivotally connected to said supporting base, wherein said switch shelterfurther has a side arm downwardly extended from a peripheral edge tooverlap with said first sidewall of said supporting base.
 4. The safetyswitch box, as recited in claim 3, wherein said locking means has alocking groove formed on said first sidewalls of said supporting baseand at least a corresponding locking protrusion formed on said side armto engage with said locking groove so as to lock up said switch shelterwith said supporting base at said idle position.
 5. The safety switchbox, as recited in claim 4, wherein a peripheral edge of said firstsidewall functions as a blocking edge to block said locking protrusionengaging with said locking groove, wherein when said switch shelter ispivotally folded towards said supporting base, said switch shelter isblocked at a position that said locking protrusion is biased againstsaid blocking edge of said first sidewall in such a manner that saidoperation side of said switch shelter must be pressed to drive saidlocking protrusion slidably passing said blocking edge to engage withsaid locking groove while said contacting side of said switch shelter issimultaneously driven for pivotally pressing said switch member downwardto switch off said saw machine.
 6. The safety switch box, as recited inclaim 5, wherein said blocking edge of said supporting base is shaped toform a curve notching corner to communicate with said sheltering cavityfor operating with said switch member.
 7. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumbcavity formed thereon to form said operating side of said switch shelterhaving a concave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelterhaving a corresponding convex surface.
 8. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 4, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumbcavity formed thereon to form said operating side of said switch shelterhaving a concave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelterhaving a corresponding convex surface.
 9. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 5, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumbcavity formed thereon to form said operating side of said switch shelterhaving a concave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelterhaving a corresponding convex surface.
 10. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 6, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumbcavity formed thereon to form said operating side of said switch shelterhaving a concave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelterhaving a corresponding convex surface.
 11. The safety switch box, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said contacting side of said switch shelterhas a slanted surface portion arranged for contacting with said switchmember so as to substantially push said switch member to switch on saidsaw machine.
 12. The safety switch box, as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid contacting side of said switch shelter has a slanted surfaceportion arranged for contacting with said switch member so as tosubstantially push said switch member to switch on said saw machine. 13.The safety switch box, as recited in claim 6, wherein said contactingside of said switch shelter has a slanted surface portion arranged forcontacting with said switch member so as to substantially push saidswitch member to switch on said saw machine.
 14. The safety switch box,as recited in claim 7, wherein said contacting side of said switchshelter has a slanted surface portion arranged for contacting with saidswitch member so as to substantially push said switch member to switchon said saw machine.
 15. The safety switch box, as recited in claim 10,wherein said contacting side of said switch shelter has a slantedsurface portion arranged for contacting with said switch member so as tosubstantially push said switch member to switch on said saw machine. 16.A saw machine, comprising: a saw blade; a control switch electricallyconnected with a motor to drive said saw blade to rotate, wherein saidcontrol switch comprises a switch platform and a switch member pivotallyextended thereon to operate said motor in an on and off manner; and asafety switch box, comprising: a supporting base supported on saidswitch platform, wherein said supporting base has a through slot formedthereon for said switch member passing through; a switch shelter, whichhas an outer operating side and an inner contacting side, pivotallyconnected to said supporting base to define a sheltering cavity betweensaid switch shelter and said supporting base for receiving said switchmember, wherein said switch shelter is capable of being pivotally foldedbetween an idle position and an operation position; and means forlocking said switch shelter on said supporting base at said idleposition, wherein at said operation position, said switch shelter ispivotally folded to a position that said contacting side of said switchshelter is adapted for contacting with said switch member toprotectively shelter said switch member within said sheltering cavity inposition while said saw machine is operating, and at said idle position,said operation side of said switch shelter is pressed to force saidcontacting side thereof for pivotally pressing said switch memberdownward to switch off said saw machine.
 17. The saw machine, as recitedin claim 16, wherein said supporting base, having a U-shaped crosssection, further has a base platform defining said through slot thereonand first and second sidewalls upwardly extended from said base platformto define said sheltering cavity within said base platform, and saidfirst and second sidewalls for retaining said switch member within saidsheltering cavity, wherein said switch shelter, having a L-shaped crosssection is pivotally connected to said supporting base, wherein saidswitch shelter further has a side arm downwardly extended from aperipheral edge to overlap with said first sidewall of said supportingbase.
 18. The saw machine, as recited in claim 17, wherein said lockingmeans has a locking groove formed on said first sidewalls of saidsupporting base and at least a corresponding locking protrusion formedon said side arm to engage with said locking groove so as to lock upsaid switch shelter with said supporting base at said idle position. 19.The saw machine, as recited in claim 18, wherein a peripheral edge ofsaid first sidewall functions as a blocking edge to block said lockingprotrusion engaging with said locking groove, wherein when said switchshelter is pivotally folded towards said supporting base, said switchshelter is blocked at a position that said locking protrusion is biasedagainst said blocking edge of said first sidewall in such a manner thatsaid operation side of said switch shelter must be pressed to drive saidlocking protrusion slidably passing said blocking edge to engage withsaid locking groove while said contacting side of said switch shelter issimultaneously driven for pivotally pressing said switch member downwardto switch off said saw machine.
 20. The saw machine, as recited in claim19, wherein said blocking edge of said supporting base is shaped to forma curve notching corner to communicate with said sheltering cavity foroperating with said switch member.
 21. The saw machine, as recited inclaim 16, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumb cavity formedthereon to form said operating side of said switch shelter having aconcave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelter having acorresponding convex surface.
 22. The saw machine, as recited in claim18, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumb cavity formedthereon to form said operating side of said switch shelter having aconcave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelter having acorresponding convex surface.
 23. The saw machine, as recited in claim20, wherein said switch shelter further has a thumb cavity formedthereon to form said operating side of said switch shelter having aconcave surface and said contacting side of said switch shelter having acorresponding convex surface.
 24. The saw machine, as recited in claim16, wherein said contacting side of said switch shelter has a slantedsurface portion arranged for contacting with said switch member so as tosubstantially push said switch member to switch on said saw machine. 25.The saw machine, as recited in claim 18, wherein said contacting side ofsaid switch shelter has a slanted surface portion arranged forcontacting with said switch member so as to substantially push saidswitch member to switch on said saw machine.
 26. The saw machine, asrecited in claim 20, wherein said contacting side of said switch shelterhas a slanted surface portion arranged for contacting with said switchmember so as to substantially push said switch member to switch on saidsaw machine.
 27. The saw machine, as recited in claim 23, wherein saidcontacting side of said switch shelter has a slanted surface portionarranged for contacting with said switch member so as to substantiallypush said switch member to switch on said saw machine.